Race · November 3, 2026

U.S. House · California's 32nd District

2 candidates on the ballot.1

How this race is decided: Under California's top-two system, only the two candidates who received the most votes in the June 2, 2026, primary, regardless of party preference, appear on this general-election ballot.1,2

§1Candidates

Why this matters: Every candidate the state lists for this race on the November ballot, in the state's own order.

Brad Sherman
Democratic · Incumbent
Currently represents California's 32nd District in the U.S. House.
Larry Thompson
Republican · Challenger

§2Side by side

Why this matters: The same facts for every candidate, in the same order. Where we found nothing for a candidate, the cell says so — that means we didn't find it in public sources, not that it doesn't exist.

Scroll sideways on small screens. Select a name for the full page.
Brad ShermanLarry Thompson
Party on the ballotDemocratic1,3Republican1
StatusIncumbent4Challenger
Raised$2,899,860 through October 14, 20265$66,331 through October 14, 20266
Cash on hand$2,673,2435$7,1466
Outside spending$974,078 for · $0 against7Not found in the public sources we checked
Background checks for gun sales
Require checks for all gun sales, including private sales (with exceptions such as gifts between family members)
His campaign website says he cosponsored the Bipartisan Background Checks Act, which would require background checks for private gun transfers, and the Enhanced Background Checks Act, which would extend the FBI's review period from 3 to 10 days.8		His campaign website says he supports the Second Amendment but believes in background checks, and that people who use a gun in a crime should go to prison.9,10
Highway and transit fundingHis campaign website says he has secured funds for the Orange Line and improvements to the 405 and 101 freeways and is fighting for funds to build rail through the Sepulveda Pass.11His campaign website says he would fight for a high-speed monorail along the 405 freeway between the San Fernando Valley and the Westside.9,12

Issues only one candidate has addressed

By candidate, in ballot order. We found nothing public from the other candidates in this race on these issues.

Brad Sherman — 12 issues
  • Government funding and abortion
    His campaign website lists protecting abortion rights and Planned Parenthood funding among the priorities he has worked to advance.11
  • Animal welfare laws
    Add federal protections, such as bans on horse slaughter and on testing cosmetics on animals
    His campaign website says he cosponsors a bill to phase out animal testing for cosmetics, is working to pass a bill to end horse slaughter, and opposes efforts to invalidate California's Proposition 12 or similar state animal protection laws.8
  • Discrimination protections for sexual orientation and gender identity
    Pass broad protections such as the Equality Act
    His campaign website says he helped introduce the Equality Act, which would protect LGBTQ+ people from discrimination in housing, employment, education and public accommodations.8
  • Diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs
    His campaign website says he has voted against proposals to close federal agencies' civil rights and diversity offices.8
  • Carbon taxes and cap-and-trade
    A price on emissions from US companies, through a tax, fee or cap-and-trade
    His campaign website says he supports legislation like the Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act, which would put a fee on the carbon content of fossil fuels.8
  • Oil and gas drilling on federal land and offshore
    His campaign website says he helped introduce the West Coast Protection Act, which would bar federal oil and gas leases off the coasts of California, Oregon and Washington.8
  • Conservation and development on federal lands
    Protect more land, such as with new national monuments or wilderness areas
    His campaign website says he has secured nearly $25 million to buy land for preservation in the Santa Monica Mountains and works to increase funding for the Land and Water Conservation Fund.8
  • Iran's nuclear program and sanctions
    His campaign website says he wrote parts of Iran sanctions laws, including a section of the Comprehensive Iran Sanctions, Accountability, and Divestment Act.8
  • Military aid to Israel
    His campaign website says he worked to pass $14.1 billion in emergency defense aid for Israel in 2024 and supports fully funding the Iron Dome and the annual $3.8 billion in aid under the 2016 agreement.8
  • AR-15-style rifles
    Ban the sale of these rifles
    His campaign website says he cosponsored the Assault Weapons Ban, which would make it a crime to transfer or possess semiautomatic assault weapons or large-capacity magazines.8
  • Red flag laws
    Adopt more red flag laws, including a national one
    His campaign website says he cosponsors the Federal Extreme Risk Protection Order Act, which would encourage states to pass red flag laws and let federal courts issue orders removing guns from people who have shown intent to harm themselves or others.8
  • Medical transition for minors
    His campaign website says he has voted against proposals to restrict gender-affirming care and signed a brief asking the Supreme Court to overturn Tennessee's ban on such care for minors.8
Larry Thompson — 12 issues
  • Who sets abortion law
    Leave abortion law to each state
    His campaign website says he is personally against abortion but that it is now for the people and legislatures of each state to decide, and that he does not support a federal law banning it.9,10
  • Cryptocurrency rules
    His campaign website says he supports policies favorable to Bitcoin and cryptocurrency, saying the technology can advance Americans' financial futures.9,10
  • Term limits for Congress
    Shorter limits, such as three House terms (six years) and two Senate terms (12 years)
    His campaign website proposes a constitutional amendment limiting House members to four terms (8 years) and senators to two terms (12 years).13
  • Aid to Ukraine
    His campaign website lists being pro-Ukraine among his 32 points.9
  • Homelessness
    His campaign website calls for treating homelessness mainly as a mental health issue, housing and treating people in existing closed mental institutions, addiction facilities and veterans' homes, with shelter and treatment tied to personal responsibility and measurable results.9,10,12
  • Immigration enforcement inside the country
    His campaign website says the border should be kept closed and people here illegally should be deported under existing immigration laws; it also calls for taking on comprehensive immigration reform.10
  • Income tax on Social Security benefits
    End income tax on Social Security benefits
    His campaign website calls for no taxes on Social Security.9,10
  • Federal income tax rates
    His campaign website proposes an American Work Freedom Act that would phase out federal income taxes over four years while protecting Social Security, Medicare, national defense, veterans' benefits and federal law enforcement.13
  • Federal spending levels
    His campaign website calls for stopping the printing of money and reducing the national debt by at least 10 percent a year until it is paid off.9,10
  • Taxes on tips and overtime
    Make the tax break permanent or expand it
    His campaign website calls for no taxes on tips or overtime pay.9,10
  • Data privacy
    His campaign website's AI Bill of Rights says Americans own their personal information and that it should not be collected, sold or materially repurposed without lawful authorization or meaningful notice and choice, consistent with applicable law.14
  • Rules for artificial intelligence
    Set rules for specific risks and uses, such as deepfakes, hiring decisions and safety disclosures
    His campaign website proposes an American AI Bill of Rights that would encourage AI innovation unless there is a compelling public interest for targeted regulation, keep humans legally responsible for major decisions, require disclosure of AI-generated political ads and provide remedies against malicious deepfakes.13,14

Issue statements are drafted by AI from the public sources cited, and only cover what each candidate has said publicly.